KEY MARKET INSIGHTS

The delivery robots market size was USD 306.3 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2,143.1 million by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 32.0% during the forecast period. Growing demand for contactless services, labor shortages, and increased e-commerce activity to boost the growth of delivery robots market globally.

A delivery robot is an automated robot that helps in last-mile delivery. It is engaged in providing goods and food parcels to end users without any human interaction. It is assembled with sensors that can detect obstacles and be able to travel from one location to another. The product finds application in various end-user industries such as healthcare, retail, logistics, and food & beverages sectors. In addition, it may be used in food deliveries, online shopping, and e-commerce applications.In 2022, the global delivery robots market size was valued at USD 236.6 million.

Moreover, labor shortages, rise in the e-commerce industry, and the growing need for contactless services are driving the market growth of delivery robots. An increasing internet penetration rate around the globe is also leading to market growth.

Furthermore, the growth in the food delivery and logistics sectors fuels the demand for such products for delivery applications. These factors are expected to escalate product demand, driving the delivery robots market growth.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Growth in the E-commerce Sector Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic Positively Impacted Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the growth of the market. The imposition of lockdowns globally to stop the spread of COVID-19 resulted in an increased demand for e-commerce. Moreover, halt in public transportation and social distancing norms generated the sales of these products during the pandemic. End users became more dependent on the product for quick food services and convenient food delivery. Delivery robots were increasingly used in healthcare, logistics, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors. They were used to provide face masks, health kits, and other essential items. These factors propelled the market growth during the pandemic period.

LATEST TRENDS

Technological Advancements in the Product to Strengthen Market Growth

Post-pandemic trends across the food industry for online ordering got pace with the extension of work-from-home culture and consumers’ change in cooking habits. As a result, the demand for delivery robots increased as they help minimize the cost of delivery and enhance user experience with more safe, hygienic, and contactless delivery. Major players are deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in their product portfolio to understand the environment with object detection technology and manage paths accordingly for fast delivery. For instance, Starship Technologies is making deliveries easier and smarter, powered by electric drive systems and guided by a combination of LiDAR and radar sensors, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Citing another instance, in December 2022, Hyundai motor group initiated a pilot project for delivery operations across the hospitality sector. The product has a load-bearing capacity of upto 10 kg and is equipped with LiDAR and camera solutions enabling easy object detection and safer delivery to consumers in hotels. These factors are set to propel the market growth.

GROWTH PROPONENTS

• Robust Network Infrastructure Bolstering the Demand for Autonomous Robots

With the digital age in full swing, the flow in internet accessibility and connected devices has significantly amplified the appeal of smart robotics. Developed nations, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and many European countries, are recognizing the time-saving benefits of smart tracking. Starship Technologies, a frontrunner in the field, integrates delivery tracking into its partners' digital platforms, offering real-time fleet monitoring.

Autonomous robot delivery, an emerging facet of this industry, is rapidly gaining traction among consumers wanting efficient local package delivery while trimming delivery costs. As of April 2023, Uber Eats, partnering with the autonomous robot startup Cartken, initiated its delivery robot services in Virginia. These robots are equipped with cutting-edge sensors, ensuring seamless navigation. Such innovations and adoptions amplify the market's prospects.

GROWTH BARRIERS

• Infrastructure and Costing Challenges Impeding Market Progress

Autonomous deliveries face hurdles, particularly in power storage and consumption, potentially impacting the technological evolution of these robots. Moreover, the introduction of these robots comes with its operational intricacies that often require human oversight.

Manufacturing these robots demands significant capital, with costs ranging between USD 20,000-50,000, a steep investment for small to medium enterprises, thereby restricting widespread adoption. Furthermore, stagnating logistic infrastructural developments, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and sluggish global economic growth, are compelling businesses to streamline expenses. This trend has been echoed by major players like Amazon, which halted its autonomous product testing in October 2022, citing the need for better alignment with consumer expectations.

MARKET BREAKDOWN

• Type Classification




• Outdoor Robots Leading the Charge with Enhanced Delivery Capabilities

Outdoor robots, tailored for sectors like e-commerce, retail, and logistics, are primarily assigned outdoor deliveries, boasting capacities of up to 35 kg. They promise precise deliveries, an enriched user experience, and labor cost reductions.

On the other hand, indoor robots cater to myriad functions such as swift deliveries, food services, warehousing, and healthcare. With a load capacity between 10 and 20 kg, they excel in last-mile and food parcel deliveries.

• Load Carrying Capacity




• 11 Kg to 50 Kg Segment Holds Prominence Due to High Logistics Demand

Robots within the 11 kg to 50 kg bracket are predominantly harnessed in warehouses, logistics hubs, and e-commerce settings for short-range product deliveries.

Meanwhile, robots capable of carrying up to 10 kg are gaining ground, especially in local eateries and boutique hotels for food and beverage deliveries. Starship, in 2021, rolled out a delivery robot within this capacity range, indicating a promising market trajectory.

• Wheel Configuration




• 4-Wheeled Robots: Efficiency Meets Versatility

Robots with four wheels have carved a significant market share, credited to their features like nimble maneuverability, comprehensive camera systems, and GPS integration.

Robots with 3 or 6 wheels also present growth potential, especially when it comes to transporting bulky items. Their weight-bearing capacity makes them ideal for the logistics and e-commerce sectors.

• End User Dynamics




• Food & Beverage Sector Leading the Adoption Race

The food & beverage sector remains a dominant force in the market, leveraging these robots for swift and efficient deliveries. Uber Eats' collaboration with Cartken in December 2022, leveraging sidewalk robots, epitomizes this trend.

The healthcare and logistics sectors too show promising growth. Factors like rising online shopping tendencies and internet ubiquity play pivotal roles in driving this demand.

Additionally, retail and logistics, buoyed by consumers' increasing expenditure on groceries and packaged goods, show immense growth potential.

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

This report delves into a comprehensive analysis of five prominent regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

• North America: A Pioneering Market
  North America is poised to lead the market in the forecasted period, spurred by a confluence of factors: a constellation of key regional enterprises, rising internet usage, and robust economic advancement. The World Bank Group highlighted a 1.1% hike in North America's internet penetration rate from 2020 to 2021, a trend likely to amplify market dynamics.




• U.S.: A Powerhouse in Robot Deliveries
  With its flourishing economy and leading companies doubling down on R&D, the U.S. is set to be the market's linchpin. An illustrative development is Nuro Inc's USD 600.0 million investment in November 2021 to inaugurate a manufacturing hub, aiming to integrate robotic delivery into their offerings.




• Asia Pacific: A Blossoming Hub
  The Asia Pacific region is on the cusp of significant growth. Strong investment influx in healthcare, burgeoning e-commerce platforms, and climbing internet penetration, especially in countries like South Korea, Japan, and China, underpin this ascent.


• Europe: Tapping into Potential
  Europe is set to experience appreciable growth. The driving forces include soaring internet penetration and the robust presence of industry stalwarts, especially in nations like Germany, France, and Italy. An exemplar is Starship Technologies' January 2022 funding of USD 57 million from the European Investment Bank, envisioned to broaden their robot offerings.


• Middle East & Africa and Latin America:
  Both regions are predicted to record steady growth, driven by escalating demand in logistics, last-mile delivery, and healthcare realms.

INDUSTRY LUMINARIES

Dominant industry participants are leveraging strategies such as product innovation, mergers, business expansions, and collaborations to augment their market foothold.

For example, Relay Robotics Inc's June 2022 unveiling of the “Relay + Robotics” robot for the hospitality domain signifies the continuous product innovation trends shaping the market.

KEY INDUSTRY MILESTONES

• March 2023: Neubility, a robotics startup, revealed plans to debut 400 Lidar-free autonomous robots, alongside a fresh series of security robots.


• December 2022: Hyundai Motor Group kicked off a pilot project deploying autonomous robots, laden with LiDAR and camera technologies, in the hospitality sector.


• August 2022: Ottonomy.io launched Ottobot 2.0, targeting audiences across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, catering to restaurants, retailers, and e-commerce.


• May 2022: Pudu Robotics and Qualcomm intended to forge a partnership, focusing on the synergy of 5G technology and AI solutions.


• March 2022: JD Logistics, a JD.Com Inc branch, rolled out robots capable of bearing over 100 kg, tailored for long-distance heavy-weight deliveries.


• January 2022: Nuro Inc introduced its autonomous delivery unit "Nuro", crafted for bulk material transport.

REPORT SYNOPSIS

This comprehensive research report provides an exhaustive exploration of the robot's classifications based on type, load capacity, wheel count, and end-user segments. It presents insights into dominant market players, their corporate profiles, product lineups, R&D ventures, financial assessments, and key product applications. The report further delves into the competitive landscape, SWOT analysis, prevailing market tendencies, and identifies primary market propellants and inhibitors. This document stands as a testament to the numerous market growth contributors.